As his final American revival meeting continued Saturday, a fragile Billy Graham (search) was met onstage by former President Clinton, who honored the evangelist, calling him "a man I love."

Clinton spoke briefly before Graham's sermon and recalled how the man known as America's pastor had refused to preach before a segregated audience in Arkansas decades ago when that state was in a bitter fight over school desegregation.

"I was just a little boy and I'll never forget it," said Clinton, who was joined by his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (search). "I've loved him ever since. God bless you, friend."

Graham called the Clintons "wonderful friends" and "a great couple," quipping that the former president should become an evangelist and allow "his wife to run the country."

Graham, 86, then launched into a short sermon that was interupted by applause five times. Organizers estimated 80,000 people had come to the crusade at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens  about 20,000 more than the opening night Friday. The rally ends Sunday.

The evangelist is suffering from fluid on the brain, prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease. He uses the walker due to a pelvic fracture and is largely confined to his home in Montreat, N.C. He had said previously that the rally "will be the last in America, I'm sure."

Your last line is what concerns me, TJI. I can surmise there are those who don't take it as a generous level of class like you said, be it Christians, Conservatives or ANY other political or religious class of people and they are indeed blind.

104
posted on 06/26/2005 4:45:39 AM PDT
by Dawgreg
(Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)

I understand Kirkwood but he is an American icon and of course the attention is being put on him as such but it's what is said behind the pulpit that counts. I respectfully disagree about the attention and pride comment. I realize he is a sinner (by his own admission) just like all the rest of us, but I truly believe if he thought these things, he would not and could not carry on his life-long work of spreading the gospel. I may be wrong on this though.

105
posted on 06/26/2005 4:51:33 AM PDT
by Dawgreg
(Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)

My mother worshipped the ground Billy G.walked on even meeting him and shaking his hand.She was flabbergasted when I told her he excused Clinton and said he was a "great man".I think it broke her heart.When I heard him say it on the radio,it sound sound like someone had a gun to his head. He was real nervous.You'd think Clinton's goons were in the same room or something,waiting to work him over if he dared say anything negative or something.

They are such political whores including schumer - tryng to get the right wing vote through association, yet, daily, they commend them.

This event was about Jesus, his messenger BG, and those the Holy Spirit convicts. Yet, satan reared its ugly head again in the midst of it to gain recognition. Anything to get it off topic - 'JESUS'/His Precious Blood/His Saving Grace. The garden of Gethsemanie comes to mind.

No one was important during that event - we are all sinners - and the only one deserving of praise is JESUS.

Yeah - BG couldn't and shouldn't condemn Clinton but he shouldn't have placed all the blame on the women by implying it was their fault for being attracted to a strong, powerful and virile MAN - It sounds like: 1) BG was falling in love with Billy-boy, and 2) it ain't BC's fault it's all them evil women throwing their luscious bodies at him.

BG 'jumped the shark' a long time ago. It's a pity because once he actually stood for something.

I can't really ascribe it to his health. I started out, decades ago, a very enthusiastic Billy Graham fan. But as I've learned more about the compromises he's made, how he's muddled the Gospel, my estimation of him has plummeted, quite against my preferences and predilections.

See Evangelicalism Divided, by Iain Murray, for one sad and well-documented presentation. The book isn't at all only on Billy Graham, but on how evangelicalism came to be in the mess we're in today. Sadly, BG played a major role.

To be honest, I love Graham, but he and his staff have just been had by the EVIL VOMIT COUPLE FROM HEEL! For some strange reason Mr. Graham has fallen under their wicked spell. I remember Graham defending bubba over the Monica affair on the Today show. I was speechless at what come out of Mr. Grahams mouth considering bubba's sin. In other words Billyboy got a free pass from Graham and the sheeple took to heart Mr. Graham's statement. Something along the lines that bubba was youthful and full of vitality and that the affair was not his fault or something MADDENING like that...does any one here remember that interview? I was completely outrageously floored!!

"I doubt he invited any of the bunch in NYC, but was too polite to turn them down. Pity."

You might have the best answer.

He is frail. It's clear it's a matter of time.

Those on the platform were are those that think the world of themselves and will exploit these situations. I hear that ole Hillary is trying to be more like the "right" with her "Christian" values. So they're using BG.

Not a peep was heard or seen of them after they had their "righteous" attention fix.

I just hope the depraved left, Hillary and company don't use this as a stepping stone to promote THEIR values. The Demoncrats feel a tad left out of the moral voter group since they promote abortion, homosexuality etc.. They too, want to look like they have some redeeming values - even thought they don't.

They're were a couple of people with signs telling you that BG was sending you to HELL! And another one had a sign that stated "God caused 9/11". What idiots! Lack of belief will send you to hell and PEOPLE caused 9/11 but these people aren't rational - you couldn't get through if you tried. The cops stayed close to them and for the most part people ignored them and I could see a few praying for them on the side.

Schummer is the SENIOR Senator. Hillary is the JUNIOR Senator so I guess it is a package deal. Pataki was missing and so was Guilano. Bloomberg is really a Demoncrat at heart so it was a bunch of liberals.

Someone should have told BG about the gay high school funded by tax dollars. I don't think any other city holds that depraved kind of school. At least there they can molest each other and not harass the straight people. Bloomberg thinks it's grand!

I think Billy Graham has lost control of his mental facilities. Newsmax even went so far to quote Graham as saying, "that the former president should become an evangelist and allow 'his wife to run the country.'"

Ok Billy, time to go back to the retirement home. Leave the presidential remarks for those who know better!

i have never seen anyone exhibit their presidential aspirations with less subtly and with more in your face blantancy than Hillary Clinton. Even Bill was more subtle than she is.

This portends two things:

1. She obviously thinks the American people are stupid 2. Her policies as President will reflect that (ie nanny state gone bezerk)

I have also read she is an absolute tyrant. Her staff, Bill's staff and even Bill were terrified of her. This is actaulyl a good thing for us and where her downfall will occur. No one will tell her what she is doing is a bad idea or poor politics. They will be too afraid to.

Agreed. And I say that as one of the millions Rev. Graham led to The Door.

As to his comments on Billary, I find it not all that uncommon for aged men to go soft in the head. I see the greater shame in how the pols have used Rev. Graham as their prop. Woe unto them for taking advantage of this now feeble and elderly man of God.

Every local NYC news had this bite of Bubba on it. Boy he can insert his lyin' puss into everything he possibly can, even a Billy Graham crusade. And that remark about Hitlery running the country? What is WRONG with him?! eeuuww

I think I'm going to be sick! I sure wish Reverend Graham hadn't said that little quip about Bill evangelizing and Hitler run the country..........too many people might not take it as a light-hearted joke....they may take it as gospel......no pun intended.

You've got that right. I'm a believing Christian, but I think Billy Graham is either a very shallow dupe, or a genuinely evil man.

146
posted on 06/26/2005 11:39:18 AM PDT
by farmer18th
("The fool says in his heart there is no God.")

It doesn't matter if you were "physically there," words are words. They mean things. A man of God doesn't even joke about a Jezebel running the country. I repeat my contention: he has either lost his mind or he is a servant of the Devil. (Remember when Graham undermined the underground church in Russia?) He sold out for benefits and pensions years ago, and genuine Christians would do well to ignore this old idiot.

150
posted on 06/26/2005 11:53:33 AM PDT
by farmer18th
("The fool says in his heart there is no God.")

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